Youth hits home with wish: ‘I just want my own bed’

I have had many opportunities to share with community members the plight of our homeless youths in the Valley.

The last exchange happened with an individual who was very interested in knowing what existing services are available for homeless youths, and what do they really need next. I was excited to share that MY HOUSE (Mat-Su Youth Housing) just received its nonprofit status to pursue grants, receive donations and organize fund-raisers to establish a much-needed housing program in the Valley for our homeless youths.

I added that currently, the Valley does not have any kind of housing for those youths, unless they have a mental diagnosis, have been released from our juvenile justice system, or are in foster care. These homeless youths have been referred to as the “unmet niche.” The fact is, our homeless youths, for whatever reasons, have left home — or worse, are unaccompanied, having no parent or legal guardian in their lives and have no roof over their heads to be safe. They do not have regular meals, adequate clothing or a place or person to help coordinate and provide extended services for them (health, social, financial or career planning).

I believe many homeless youths are on the streets out of desperation to avoid home situations, such as the trauma of sexual abuse, especially for girls. Parental substance abuse, mental issues or just plain abandonment are other reasons. The streets are, in their minds, a respite from that constant feeling of being helpless and hopeless.

Yet the streets are no better and are a dead end. We know once on the streets, there is a progression of distrust that will be followed eventually with disequilibrium from society. They separate themselves from the very people who are trying to help. It is very sad to see these youths become victims of the streets. Within a short period of time on the streets, things go from bad to worse to incomprehensible demoralization. They become “mules” carrying product (drugs) for others, wheeling and dealing for themselves and the most horrific, selling themselves for sex and sex trafficking.

So, what do these youths really need? Do they need respect? Do we need to provide them with opportunities for self-respect, self-pride, achievement or self-confidence? I believe it is much more basic than that.

This was driven home when I heard a homeless youth reply to the direct question: what do you need right now? He said, “I just want my own bed.”

His voice was filled with desperation, not only for his own bed, but he sounded like he was exhausted from doing battle with street demons and those lingering vapors still chasing him. He truly needed a place to lay his head and just catch a break from his plight. I cannot imagine the exhaustion from the hyper-vigilant behavior of constantly having to guard his belongings from getting jacked, and always looking for high, dry ground, food and clothing.

He is one of many of our homeless youths who are just trying to fulfill basic physical and security needs of safety, but trying to meet those needs on the streets. It is a trade off that does not have promising or positive outcomes. The solution is to provide our homeless youths an array of housing solutions from emergency dorm-style housing, transitional to group homes and finally affordable housing. We need host and safe homes to provide a safety net and cool down until possible family reunification can take place for younger youths. Also, for older youths, they need job training opportunities, résumé and financial literacy classes. Most importantly — at any age — getting into school and graduating with a high school diploma is imperative.

One of the goals for MY HOUSE is to have an outreach center and coordinate a variety of housing solutions and extended services for our homeless youths. We are kicking off this quest by sponsoring the “50 States in 50 Days Tour” with Kevin Montgomery. Kevin is a musician with Nashville roots who has partnered with the Orange Duffle Bag Foundation. This foundation seeks awareness for homeless youths and began with the story of former Georgia Tech football player Sam Bracken. A book was launched describing Sam’s journey from poverty and homelessness to a full-ride scholarship, awards as a football player and his college education. Echo Garret, Kevin’s sister, assisted in bringing to life Sam Bracken’s story in this book. The evening with Kevin will be at the Valley Cinema Theatre, Aug. 24 at 6 p.m.

You can visit the MY HOUSE website at myhousematsu.org outlining our vision for homeless youths, articles about past events, and the tour with Kevin and the Orange Duffle Bag Foundation. You can buy tickets online or at the door. All are welcome. Please join us as we continue our quest to give a hand up to our homeless youths in the Valley.

Michael Carson is vice president of MY HOUSE and Michelle Overstreet is its president.